TORONTO — CC Sabathia was placed on the 15-day disabled list Saturday with inflammation and pain in his left elbow, the New York Yankee ace’s second trip to the DL this season.

The Yankees agreed to a contract with free agent Derek Lowe and are planning to finalize the deal and activate him Monday. The right-hander, recently cut by the Cleveland Indians, likely will pitch out of the bullpen. David Phelps is a candidate to take Sabathia’s spot in the rotation.

Manager Joe Girardi said Sabathia, the 2007 AL Cy Young award winner, felt stiff two days after his Aug. 3 start but an MRI showed nothing. Sabathia felt stiff again after pitching at Detroit on Aug. 8. He threw on flat ground Friday rather than throwing his regular bullpen session and continued to experience mild discomfort.